You know what isn’t fair? Sitting at a table full of people who are all extroverts and don’t mind yelling over each other to be heard. Here I am struggling to get one measly sentence out.

At lunch, Jade and I sit with Archer, his best pal, Demarcus. Also a comedian, but also, also he likes music. He plays the drums and the trumpet. He is also a part-time Dj. Darleen also sits with us and a girl named Winifred, or Wini for short. She is an artist. Specifically sculpting. She is friends with Demarcus.

I get anxiety when I am surrounded by people who don’t shut up. Jade is hard enough to deal with on her own, now imagine that but ten times as loud. It gives me a headache. I was tuning them out hardcore, rubbing my temples. Just eating my lunch when I noticed the whole table was silent. So I look up and they were all looking at me.

“What?” I asked suddenly really nervous.

“Were you even listening?” Jade frowns.

“No?”

“Figures. We were talking about the annual prank.”

The annual prank: Every year once a year at Lincoln’s school for the gifted the kids in each grade come up with their own prank. Each year is assigned a target. As a freshman, our target was the guidance counselors. As sophomore’s, we got the fine arts department. This year as juniors we are assigned the assistant principal. The seniors get to assign roles and the school faculty never knows when it’s going to hit them.

“Oh.” Was all I said.

“We said we have the perfect plan, we just need someone they will never suspect to pull it off. Which is where you come into play.” Demarcus said.

“Oh no, come on guys I can’t I get nervous, plus what if I give myself away. Not to mention I have a guilty face, do I have a guilty face? My mom says I do. I am not exactly cut out for pranks.”

“Relax, you got this.” Jade puts her hand on mine to stop my stammering.

They all eyed me eagerly.

Jade is counting on me. I have to do it. Maybe this will get her attention. Maybe if I man up and show her I am not afraid. Okay, I can do this. Deep breaths.

“Fine, what am I doing?” I ask.

“Eee! Yes! It’s going to be perfect.” Jade squeals.

I can’t help but smile at her.

“During your office period go into Vice principal Howards office and do three things. First thing, Put a sticky note on everything, cover his whole office. Second thing, Unscrew the wheels to his office chair and set up a camera to record it. Third thing, a bucket of syrup on the door. We can retrieve the camera later.” Archer explains.

That’s it! They act like it’s no big deal. No way am I going to get away with this.

“How am I going to get him out of his office?”

“Leave that part to us.” Demarcus smiled.

“When am I doing it?”

“Today, everything you need should be in the supply closet.” He said.

Today!

“You can do this, I know you can,” Jade assures me.

Easy for you to say! I’ve never directly been involved with the annual prank, I have always just been a bystander. But now this year’s prank all depends on me! Talk about the pressure.

So during my office aid period, I waited for the signal. Demarcus said I would just know. And he was right. Over the intercom, a loud thunderous beat started playing. Demarcus was D.J.-ing over the intercom!

In seconds Vice Principal Howard was out of his office in search of the ruckus. In fact, most of the office aids went to look, leaving me alone. I quickly ran to the supply closet and got everything out. Then I ran into his office and got to work.

I ripped sticky note after sticky note off covering everything as fast as I could. So long as the music was playing I knew I was safe. It took me 7 minutes to cover everything. Then I flipped his chair over and loosened to wheels and bottom. The bucket was last, but I felt like it wasn’t enough.

I saw some more things in the supply closet so I ran back. I grabbed some confetti poppers and a box of marbles and ran back. I hooked the confetti poppers up to his laptop so that when he opened it they would go off. Then I placed the bucket carefully. I grabbed the glass balls and put them under his chair so that when the chair collapsed they would go everywhere.

He had two go pros, so I set one up by the desk and the other outside the office on an automated wheelchair that he occasionally uses. He doesn’t need it, he is just that lazy. The music had stopped by then so I quickly ran back to my post and ducked down when he came storming in. Many office aids behind him.

I watched as he swung the door to his office open and a bucket of syrup rained down on him. then he grunted in frustration at the sight of his office. He stomped over to his desk and opened his laptop. Simultaneously the poppers went off and his chair collapsed. I couldn’t help but snicker. Marbles went everywhere.

He got up to leave but instead slipped forward and in trying to gain his balance he landed on his automated chair, sitting on the remote. He put it on full speed. It started driving him all around the office and then out the door. He was screaming.

Oops.

I slowly stood up and watched as everyone chased after him.

I ran into his office and carefully grabbed the camera. Then I ran after him. He was out of control! Swirling around in circles getting syrup everywhere. Eventually, he stopped when his chair ran into the front doors and he was flung off.

“Are you okay?” I ran up to him, covertly grabbing the sticky camera off the wheelchair.

“Whoever is responsible for this is getting expelled!” he shouted.

Expelled! I can’t get expelled. Holy crud. Mega crud.

The office aids helped him to the nurse's office. The bell rang for class.

I quickly ran to my last class.

“Did you do it?” Archer ran up behind me.

“Eep!” I shriek.

“Well?” Demarcus said.

I handed them the go pros.

“Aw yes! You’re the best!” he awkwardly high fived me.

I smiled.

After practice, Jade and I drove home.

“I can’t believe you actually did it!” she laughs.

“Why? Didn’t think I had it in me?”

“You no way, you are afraid of your own shadow.”

“Am not.” I pout.

“If you say so.” She smirks as we pulled into her driveway. “Don’t you have to go home?” she asks as I follow her into her house.

“I am feeling wild today.”

“Alright then, show me this wild side.” She teases.

Okay, don’t mess it up. Just flirt no big deal. I can do this.

“Bet you can’t do this.” I ran up and in one big leap hopped over the fence.

Okay so far so good.

“Well no duh, I’m not a track star.” She laughs from the other side.

“Jade admitting defeat, gasp.” I tease.

I am doing it! I am flirting. Yay! Maybe there is hope yet.

“Alright, back up. I’ll show you.” She backs all the way up.

“Jade, you are going to hurt yourself.” I said.

“No, no, you challenged me so here I come.” She ran.

Oh god.

She leaped up but instead of leaping over she slammed into the fence. Ow, that’s got to hurt. I cringe. She takes it in stride climbing over the fence and falling on her butt. I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous she looks. Hunched over in pain rubbing her butt. Her lip stuck out in a pout.

“Don’t laugh.” She pouts.

“Sorry sorry.” I help her up.

“Oh yeah well I can do something you can’t.” she rips herself from my hands.

“What?”

Then she strips down into her underwear and jumps into the pool.

She’s almost naked! Right in front of me! don’t panic, it was going good. You can’t back down now.

“I knew it, chicken. Bak, bak, bak.” She makes chicken noises.

“What if someone sees,” I say.

“Oh yeah, my cousin is a real perv be careful.” She rolls her eyes.

Okay, I can do this. No big deal, it’s like wearing a swimsuit. A near see-through swimsuit. Don’t panic.

In two swift movements, my clothes are on the floor and I am running into the pool. I make a big splash.

“Wow, what has gotten into you? I like this wild side.” She swims over to me.

I did it! I got her attention. Now I just have to hold it.

“Yeah? Maybe I’ve been like this all along and I’ve just been holding back.” I push her against the wall of the pool.

“Is that so?” she smiles.

Her lips are centimeters from my own. She looks so beautiful with her hair sticking to her face. I have to swallow the lump of rational thought in my throat. It makes a loud gulp sound.

“Maybe there are things about me that you don’t know.” I lean in closer.

“Like what?” she is nearly whispering.

“If I told you it wouldn’t be a mystery now would it?” I put my hands on her waist.

Her eyes are glued to my lips. It makes my heart start doing the cha-cha.

“I do like a little mystery.” She leans in slightly.

My mind goes blank and I run out of things to say as her lips graze my own. Almost like we are both testing the waters. The invisible hands of lust have turned off the valve to my airways and I can’t breathe.

“What are you guys doing?” McKenzie calls.

Jade quickly pushes me off.

What was that! We almost kissed! We were so close! Stupid McKenzie!

“What are you doing? Hmm?” Jade shoots back.

“Were you two about to kiss?”

“Eww gross, I’m not a lesbo Kenzie. We were just messing around.” Jade rolls her eyes.

McKenzie looks to me.

“Yeah, what she said. hehe.” I force a smile.

My face feels hot and my heart won’t stop jacking around.

“Right… well, mom wants you inside. She’s making dinner. You are welcome to stay Skylar.” She smiles at me.

“Okay, you can go now!” Jade wraps herself around me.

They share a glare that I don’t get before McKenzie walks inside.

“She’s such a pest,” Jade grumbles.

I smirk and grab Jade lifting her into the air before slamming her into the water. She was totally caught off guard. She quickly comes up for air.

“Ass!” she laughs before dunking me into the water.

We wrestle around a bit before her aunt calls us in.

“Hey, Skylar.” She smiles at me.

“Hey, aunty.” I smile.

I was told once to call and treat them as if they were my own aunt and uncle, so I do.

“Go get changed, girls.” Her uncle says.

“K, come on Skylar.” Jade drags me upstairs.

When we are upstairs Jade starts playing her song she has to practice for the musical auditions. The song is called Naughty Baby.

“Naughty baby

Naughty baby

Who will tease you?” She danced over to me, still in her wet underwear as she sings along.

“I can show the way

And know the way

To please you” she shoves me down on to the bed.

My heart has resumed the cha-cha and my brain must have fallen out through my ear or something because I can’t react to save the life of me.

“If you're wanting a beginner

I shan't do

I could make a saint a sinner

When I want to” she ran her hand down my chest to my stomach.

She lets the song go one as she trails her hand back up my chest. There is a devious look in her eyes. Her hand gropes me through my bra.

“Jade.” I let a moan slip.

“What was that?” She laughs pulling back her hand.

I feel my entire body go red with embarrassment.

“Oh my god! You are totally turned on right now.” She teases.

“It’s your fault, you are the one teasing.” I push her off.

“I was just practicing for my role.” She points out.

“Oh yeah? Where in the script does it say squeeze Skylar’s breast?”

“I can write it in.” she teases.

“Stop it.” I pout.

“What happened to that wild side?” She gets up and turns the music off.

Now is my chance!

I get up and wrap myself around her from behind. My hands trail down her thighs.

“She’s right here,” I whisper in her ear.

She shudders.

What am I doing? Who have I become!? This is so crazy!

I trail my hands up to her panties and lightly rub her through the material.

“Uhh.” She moans.

A hot iron runs down my spine and sits in my core.

“Who’s turned on now?” I brush my lips against the back of her neck.

Then I pull away. I have to play this right. If I come on too strong, I’ll scare her away. I got to give her a small taste, leave her wanting more. At least that’s what it said on this website, how to get an extrovert to like you if you are an introvert.

She turns to me with arms crossed, now she is blushing. It looks so cute. Her face red, her eyes avoiding mine. She is covering herself like she is self-conscious. I could just kiss her right now.

“Aw don’t be like that. I am just finally getting you back for all the times you’ve teased me.” I say.

“Don’t be cheeky, where is Skylar and what have you done to her?” She smirks.

“I’ll never tell.” I grab my shirt and slip it over my head.

She comes up behind me and her lips graze my cheek as she pulls me close. I turn to look at her. She is looking at my lips. Oh god, she wants to kiss me! that’s the number one sign someone wants to kiss you, or so the website said.

“I like this side of you, you should show it to me more often. I always wonder what’s going through that head of yours.” She whispers to me.

Right now in my head, I am thinking of the cha-cha and a dancing frog, because that is how happy I am. But she doesn’t know that.

“I’ll only show it to you.” The words leave my mouth in lustful desperation.

Just kiss me damn it!

“Have I finally broken you?” she smirks against my skin.

Yes! Take me I am yours!

“Why don’t you find out?” I tease.

She leans in I do the same.

“Foods ready!” McKenzie calls from the other side of the door.

We jolt apart.

Damn her! I was so close! What a cock block.

“You’re adorable.” Jade laughs at my expression before slipping into her clothes and walking out of the room, swaying her hips with extra emphasis.

It takes me three deep breaths before I calm down.

“You should put your shorts on,” McKenzie says from the doorway.

I jump at her presence.

She doesn’t even hide the fact that she is checking me out. I feel my face go red as I quickly slip my shorts on.

“She’s just messing with you. I wouldn’t take her seriously.” She follows me.

“What are you talking about?”

“Your crush on Jade. She doesn’t feel the same, she’s just messing with you.”

“What crush on Jade? Psh. Who has a crush on Jade? Not me, I can’t crush anything. Because I am not that strong. And you need upper body strength to crush stuff. That is unless you have a like crushing machine to crush it for you. In which case you should steer clear of the crush.” I cringe at myself.

She laughs.

“Okay, if you say so. I am just warning you. She’s messing around. Don’t take her seriously.” She walks downstairs.

If this isn’t a setback in my self-esteem, I don’t know what is. Crush on Jade, how did she know? Am I that obvious? Does everyone know? Is it like an inside joke I am not apart of? Is Jade just toying with me?

“Your mom called something about you being grounded,” Aunty said as I sat at the table.

“Busted,” Jade said with her mouth full.

I sigh and push my food around.

“Don’t worry we’ll talk her down.” Uncle winked at me. Completely misreading why I am upset.

I forced a smile for him.

If Jade really is toying with me then she knows I like her right? But she doesn’t know or she would have said something by now. Because that’s just who Jade is. Which means I am still safe for now. So long as I keep her attention my plan will work.

I look to her, she smiles so wide, spaghetti sauce leaks out of the corner of her lip. Who wouldn’t love that!? God, she’s so cute.